Trailer coupling for bicycles



P 1 4 l A. A. DUBAY 2,254,797

TRAILER COUPLING FOR BICYCLES Filed March 25, 1941' Patented Sept. 2, 1941 UNETED STATES PATENT GFFICE TRAILER COUPLING FOR BICYCLES V Alban A. Dubay, Lawrence, Mass.

Application March 25, 1941, Serial No. 385,050

4 Claims.

My present invention relates to couplings, and more particularly to couplings for bicycles having attached trailers, particularly of the twowheel type.

In my present invention, I provide a coupling between the rear axle of the bicycle and the trailer in which the bicycle may lean to the right or left and at the same time turn, as when making a curve, while the trailer remains in an upright position. In other words, I provide a universal movement in the coupling between the bicycle and the trailer, and at the same time I provide a very quick attachable and detachable apparatus requiring no tools in operation.

The principal object of my invention, is an improved coupling between bicycles and trailers;

Another object is an anti-rattling device for couplings between bicycles and bicycle trailers;

A still further object is a locking apparatus for coupling apparatus between trailers and bicycle apparatus, and

Other objects and novel features comprising the construction and operation of my invention will appear as the description of the invention progresses.

In the drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the coupling attachment, the trailer, to the right-hand side of the view is intended to represent a two-wheel apparatus, the bicycle to the right-hand side of the View shows the rear wheel, in which the invention is concerned, the forward portion of the bicycle having been eliminated for convenience;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the apparatus, a portion of the trailer and bicycle having been cut away;

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 in which certain inner members of the conventional bicycle rear wheel construction has been indicated in dot-and-dash lines, and which do not bear directly on my present invention;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section taken on the line I4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a cross-section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, III indicates a' trailer having a chassis II of tubular cross-section. It is to be understood that the chassis II may be of any form as square tubular form or solid.

The rear wheel I2 of the bicycle is provided with the conventional rear sprocket I3 and. rear axle I4, and is mounted in the usual bicycle frame I5. 7

\ gether.

'My invention comprises the apparatus located between the rear axle I4 of the bicycle and the chassis I I of the trailer I0.

At I :3 and I1 I have indicated fork members. These fork members are preferably formed of tubular material, as shown, the forward inner sides of which are provided with openings which fit over the extension ends of the rear axle I4, as indicated at I la and I-ib. These fork members I6 and I1 preferably extend to the rear in a downward direction, as shown in Fig. 1, and thence to the rear for a distance sufiicient to clear the rear wheel I2, and are then bent inwardly as indicated at Ilia and Ila, to a common pivot point I61) and iii).

Horizontally mounted through the forward portion of the trailer chassisl l is a bolt member I9 the forward portion of which is shouldered and provided with an eye member 20. Collars 2I may be located under the shouldered portion and back of the tubular member I I, the usual nuts 22 are provided back of the curved tubular member II to secure the bolt I9 in place. This bolt I9 is adjusted so that it may rotate in the tubing I I, as conditions may warrant.

The rear pivot point of the fork portions Mia and Ila are mounted over the eye member 20, and under same respectively, in the relation shown in Fig. 4. Washers 23 may be added to the outside surfaces of members Ifib and III) for conventional purposes. Passing through the washers 23, members IE2) and Ill), and the eye portion 29 of the bolt I9, is a rivet or bolt member 2-5 which secures the contacting members to- It will thus be seen that the members We and I'la may swing around the rivet member and eye portion 29 of the bolt I9 freely, and at the same time, the combined members Ida, II'a and bolt I9 can rotate in the tubular member II freely.

Located between the fork portions I6 and I1 is a tension spring 25 which normally tends to pull these fork members together and thereby prevents them from rattling on the rear axle I4 and at the same time preventing them from becoming disengaged from such axle.

In addition to the spring 25, I have provided a locking latch 26 pivoted in the member I10. and inserted through an opening in the member Isa. which definitely prevents the forks I6 and II from becoming detached by accident from the rear axle extension members Ida and Nb.

In operation, the bicycle may lean to one side or the other, as in traveling around a curve or when at rest and leaning against an object, as

a building etc. and the trailer l0 remains in an upright position because the rivet member 24 permits the bicycle to lean to one side and at the same time the bolt [9 turns in the chassis member I I thereby providing for a universal movement between the rear axle I4 and the trailer Hi.

It is to be understood that I may vary the shape and proportions and substitute equivalent means for the various parts comprising my invention and still be within the spirit of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. An improved coupling apparatus located between the rear axle of a bicycle and a trailer comprising in combination, a chassis attached to said trailer, an eye bolt member rotatably mounted in the front portion of said chassis, fork members pivoted to said eye bolt member, the free end of said fork members engaged over the ends of said bicycle rear axle, a tension spring located between said fork members and attached at each end to said fork members, a lock latch member, one end being pivoted in one of said fork members between the eyebolt end and the free end the other end of said latch being engaged with the other fork member, for the purpose of locking said fork members against premature removal from said axle member.

2. An improved coupling apparatus located between the rear axle of a bicycle and a trailer comprising in combination, a chassis attached to said trailer, an eye bolt member rotatably mounted in the front portion of said chassis, fork members engaged over the ends of said bicycle rear axle, a tension spring located between said fork members and attached at each end to said fork members, for the purpose of locking said fork members against premature removal from said axle member, and to prevent rattling between the fork members and said axle member.

3. An improved coupling apparatus located between the rear axle of a bicycle and a trailer comprising in combination, a chassis attached to said trailer, an eye bolt member rotatably mounted in the front portion of said chassis, fork members engaged over the ends of said bicycle rear axle, said fork members having a forward depressed portion and rear inwardly bent pivot ends.

4. In a coupling apparatus located between the rear axle of a bicycle, and a trailer chassis, fork members mounted over the ends of said rear axle member, the rear ends of said fork members being pivoted on a rotatable member pivoted in said chassis, a spring member located between and anchored to the inner sides of said fork members, for the pLupose of holding said fork members in close contact with said rear axle member.

ALBAN A. DUIBAY. 

